Japan suffers lowest number of births on record as population shrinks

[AgentOrange]

Japan has a lot of hard choices ahead. Allow increased immigration? As an ultra-homogenous society, I don't see the Japanese taking to immigration as well as a nation like Canada. For instance, many 2nd and 3rd generation ethnic Koreans that were born and raised in Japan still don't have Japanese citizenship. And if Japan were to allow enough immigrants to reverse its population decline how does Japan retain its national character?


Japan suffers lowest number of births on record as population shrinks | World news | theguardian.com

Japan suffers lowest number of births on record as population shrinks
Number of newborn babies last year fell to 1.001 million against 1.269m registered deaths in its population



Thursday 1 January 2015 02.30 EST


Japan’s estimated number of newborn babies last year fell to 1.001 million, the lowest figure on record, further contributing to the ageing and shrinking of the country’s population, official data showed Thursday.

The number marked an all-time low for the fourth straight year, the health, labour and welfare ministry said, while the estimated number of people who died in 2014 totalled 1.269 million, rising for the fifth straight year.

The number of newborn babies could fall below 1 million in revised data that will be released later because of an anticipated margin of error of 1000, local reports said.

A further drop in the number of children is inevitable as “the number of reproductive-age women is on the decline,” an official at the ministry said, Kyodo News reported.

Japan’s ageing population is a headache for policymakers who are faced with trying to ensure an ever-dwindling pool of workers can pay for the growing number of pensioners.

Government data released in April showed Japan’s population shrank for the third year running, with the elderly making up a quarter of the total for the first time.

The proportion of people aged 65 or over is forecast to reach nearly 40% of the population in 2060, the government has warned.

 

[Aepsilons]

For instance, many 2nd and 3rd generation ethnic Koreans that were born and raised in Japan still don't have Japanese citizenship. And if Japan were to allow enough immigrants to reverse its population decline how does Japan retain its national character?

These Korean-Japanese (Zainichi Kankukojin) are able to get Japanese citizenship. Under Japanese Law, one must give up one's former nationality / citizenship in order to become a Japanese National. While many Japanese of Korean descent have already done this, the hard-liners prefer to keep their Korean "Nationality" for patriotic reasons, for sure. We've seen many Taiwanese, Chinese, et al becoming Japanese Nationals. There is absolutely no reason why Korean-Japanese cannot be Japanese Nationals; all they have to do is follow the Naturalization Process.

 

[Kyoto]

It should allow foreign workers in like Singapore. I think a lot of people from western countries as well as nearby Asian countries would be interested in working in Japan and that prejudice will probably decline like it has done in western countries if it makes entrance easier. It looks like a really hard situation to fix with the economy struggling and debt so high. I'm interested to see what South Korea will do as it's birth rate is even lower than Japan's.

 

[Aepsilons]

Japan’s estimated number of newborn babies last year fell to 1.001 million, the lowest figure on record, further contributing to the ageing and shrinking of the country’s population, official data showed Thursday.

Around 1 million newborn births per annum is reasonable. It should be increased to at least 1.5 million - 2.0 million. This is possible with the right public planning , and critical to this is the reduction in taxes. Perhaps also increasing immigration rates.

It should allow foreign workers in like Singapore. I think a lot of people from western countries as well as nearby Asian countries would be interested in working in Japan and that prejudice will probably decline like it has done in western countries if it makes entrance easier. It looks like a really hard situation to fix with the economy struggling and debt so high. I'm interested to see what South Korea will do as it's birth rate is even lower than Japan's.

I agree with you @Kyoto . Perhaps learning from the policies of Taiwan, Singapore is reasonable. I'm all for immigration to Japan, provided that these immigrants would integrate into Japanese Society and actively want to become Japanese Nationals.

 

[AgentOrange]

These Korean-Japanese (Zainichi Kankukojin) are able to get Japanese citizenship. Under Japanese Law, one must give up one's former nationality / citizenship in order to become a Japanese National. While many Japanese of Korean descent have already done this, the hard-liners prefer to keep their Korean "Nationality" for patriotic reasons, for sure. We've seen many Taiwanese, Chinese, et al becoming Japanese Nationals. There is absolutely no reason why Korean-Japanese cannot be Japanese Nationals; all they have to do is follow the Naturalization Process.

I was always under the impression that Koreans were simply refused citizenship. That makes a lot more sense. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[PoKeMon]

@Nihonjin1051

Dont waste time on PDF and make some babies rather.

By the way are you married?

 

[AgentOrange]

It should allow foreign workers in like Singapore. I think a lot of people from western countries as well as nearby Asian countries would be interested in working in Japan and that prejudice will probably decline like it has done in western countries if it makes entrance easier. It looks like a really hard situation to fix with the economy struggling and debt so high. I'm interested to see what South Korea will do as it's birth rate is even lower than Japan's.

IMO, if South Korea's birth rate is even lower, they'll be faced with the same problems as Japan soon enough. However, (I'm not trying to generalize) SK may have an even harder time since they've acquired a reputation for being racist.

 

[Superboy]

Japan has 127 million people, nearly twice Japan's population in WW2. For a small country the size of Japan, it's a lot of people.

 

[Desert Fox]

These Korean-Japanese (Zainichi Kankukojin) are able to get Japanese citizenship. Under Japanese Law, one must give up one's former nationality / citizenship in order to become a Japanese National. While many Japanese of Korean descent have already done this, the hard-liners prefer to keep their Korean "Nationality" for patriotic reasons, for sure. We've seen many Taiwanese, Chinese, et al becoming Japanese Nationals. There is absolutely no reason why Korean-Japanese cannot be Japanese Nationals; all they have to do is follow the Naturalization Process.

Why is Japan's birthrate so low?? Do the Japanese plan on a massive National Suicide??

 

[AgentOrange]

Japan has 127 million people, nearly twice Japan's population in WW2. For a small country the size of Japan, it's a lot of people.

Russia is the largest country in the world but they have 143 million people. For a large country the size of Russia, that's not a lot of people.

 

[Armstrong]

@Nihonjin1051 - I am so disappointed in you; instead of doing your patriotic duty you've taken a vow of celibacy ?

 

[Aepsilons]

I was always under the impression that Koreans were simply refused citizenship. That makes a lot more sense. Thanks for the clarification!

Koreans are actually the largest ethnic minority in Japan; as there are over 1 million of them. Second are Chinese, whose numbers are now fast approaching 1 million. While there are "Korean" ethnics in Japan, many of them are naturalized as Japanese Nationals. As for the Chinese immigrants to Japan, majority of them are naturalized. So while they may be partially or whole of "Chinese/Han" ethnicity, they are , under Japanese Law, considered as Japanese Nationals. They are as Japanese as any other.

 

[Superboy]

Russia is the largest country in the world but they have 143 million people. For a large country the size of Russia, that's not a lot of people.

Australia is over 7 million square kilometers and only has about 20 million population.

 

[Nefer]

I agree with you @Kyoto . Perhaps learning from the policies of Taiwan, Singapore is reasonable. I'm all for immigration to Japan, provided that these immigrants would integrate into Japanese Society and actively want to become Japanese Nationals.

Specify "integrate into Japanese Society"

Because you are seeing how well its going in Europe.

Why is Japan's birthrate so low?? Do the Japanese plan on a massive National Suicide??

I am not expert, but observing Japan in general, makes me think it has to with the mainstream culture.

 

[Aepsilons]

Why is Japan's birthrate so low?? Do the Japanese plan on a massive National Suicide??

Well, there are definitely social changes. For one, after WWII, Japan had a massive "baby boomer" effect, many of the servicemen who came back to Japan from our former colonies -- eventually "went to town", as the Americans would say it. lol. It was common for post-war Japanese families to have as much as 4-7 children per couple.
Back then it was common to marry at such a young age of around 18, 20, 22 et al.

Nowadays, society is placing more emphasis on education. More kids are going to graduate school, developing their careers before marrying and producing offspring. And when they do, it is around 1 to 2 children (ideal), instead of say 4 or 7 (tho it is still common in rural parts of the country).

Sustaining 4-7 kids takes a lot of capital. Imagine having to take care of 5 crawling babies in the living room!? LOL.

.....

Specify "integrate into Japanese Society"

Because you are seeing how well its going in Europe.

What i mean is -- becoming active participants of Japanese Society. We should bring in more immigrants who are open to the idea of "becoming" Japanese. Once an immigrant chooses to naturalize, he or she must give up their former citizenship and nationality. They then becoming Japanese Nationals. Their loyalty and dedication should be to their New Homeland-- Japan. And to no other.